MILITARY ALLIANCES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 297, 30 November 1936, Page 5

MILITARY ALLIANCES

Russian Minister Opposes Japan. Press Association —'Copyright. November 28. The complexity of the'international situation is further evidenced by today’s events. >M. Litcinoff, Foreign Minister, arriving at the Soviet Congress, received an ovation lasting five minutes. He declared he had information that Italy recently promised to enter into a military allance with Japan as a retort to Russia’s opposition within the League of Nations to Italy’s violation of the Covenant. lie added that the proposed JapaneseItalian pact was similar io the Japa-nese-German pact, which was really a military allance and the signature of which was linked with the Soviet Manchukuo border clashes. M. Litvinoff remarked that at a time when democracy was faring badly in Europe the Soviet, by a new constitution, seized the flag of freedom from weak hands and planted true democracy on Russian soil. “We await other States to recognise the benefits which can be derived from peace and from collaboration with the Soviet which can give more than she receives,’’ he said. “Moreover, she is able single-handed to withstand any enemy or combination of enemies.”. Additions to the Russian Navy since 1933 were revealed by Admiral Orlo. He said submarines had increased sevenfold, other warships threefold, and the air force fivefold. “The Pacific and Baltic submarine fleets are faster and can be submerged for longer periods than those of any other navy in the world,” he said. “In the face of measures, notably oy Germany and the Japanese, we can not leave our coasts undefended.”